Posted: 3/31/2014 10:26:08 PM EDT
| I'm going to buy both of my kids (9 and 6) their first 22 pistol. At first I was set on the 22/45 lite but recently took a liking to the mark lll. Other than over all weight, which gun would you buy for them and why. School me because I know very little about them. |
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To me they are the same gun - get the one that appeals to you the best.
I think that the heavy barrel target models are the best, but you may want the lighter barrel for tote on the trail. I say that if you have two kids - get one of each and the speed loader box - you will be hunting for ammo more than you are shooting. Red 
ps - get some fun steel targets as well |
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I have a 22/45, I do not have a MKIII but I kind of wish I bought the MKIII instead of the 22/45, First and foremost because it has a metal frame instead of polymer...
It would be nice if you could get a gun that would be easy to take down and clean for someone in the age range you are describing. I think these handguns may be a bit complex and difficult to take down for a child... Or even an adult. It is not really THAT bad but just keep it in mind. It is not as easy as a 1911 or some of these other polymer wonders. My 22/45 is probably one of the dirtiest guns I own, and has alot of nooks and crannies to clean. The trigger assembly gets very dirty and I usually just douche it out with some carb cleaner and then blow that out with a blowgun. In the long run I would feel alot better doing that on a metal frame gun (especially stainless) than the polymer although it hasn't phased it yet. The way the magazine slides in is rather akward. It is at a strange angle that seems to me is more like the luger shape of the MKIII, I would suspect the MKIII does not have this quirk. Whichever you end up getting definitely get a magazine loader. The stock mags suck to reload for a grown man, it would be harder on someone with less finger strength or toughness. I use the "ultimate clip loader" As long as you hold it at the right angle and give it a shake it works slick as heck. WELL worth the 18 bucks it costs. http://www.amazon.com/McFadden-Machine-Ultimate-Clip-Loader/dp/B004YF931Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396323198&sr=8-1&keywords=ruger+22%2F45+reloader Unless of course you want to conserve ammo just get one of those things that pushes down the follower with a little plastic O thingy. |
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The Mark II and Mark III are outstanding .22 training pistols. They are what the Government uses for primary pistol training.
Everyone who has ever shot my Mark II has remarked on what a great pistol it is. I've had it over 25 years and it's been excellent all that time. Many gophers would attest to its performance if they could. I also have a 22/45, however. I shoot John Browning 1911 pistols in competition and the 22/45 has been a great help with improving my handling of the 1911. If I was down to one, last gun, it would be my Mark II Government Model Target Pistol. This is the handgun I always recommend when people say they want to learn to shoot. |